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Spatiotemporal expression of CD166 and osterix during rat molar development
Toru Shibui1, Akihiro Hosoya2, Masami Takahashi1
1Division of Anatomy, Department of Oral Growth and Development, School of Dentistry, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, Hokkaido, Japan.
Archives of Oral Biology
|August 13, 2026
Summary
Activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (Alcam; CD166) appears before Osterix (OSX) expression in rat molar root development. CD166 marks progenitor cells near the root apex, suggesting its role in odontoblast differentiation.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
- Odontogenesis
Background:
- Odontoblast differentiation is crucial for dentin formation.
- Identifying markers for odontoblast progenitor cells aids in understanding tooth development.
- Activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (Alcam; CD166) and Osterix (OSX) are key proteins in cell differentiation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the spatiotemporal localization of CD166 and OSX during rat molar development.
- To investigate the role of CD166 in odontoblast differentiation.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining were used.
- Mandibles from Wistar rats were collected at various embryonic and postnatal stages.
- Expression patterns of CD166 and OSX were analyzed during molar development and maturation.
Main Results:
- CD166 was found in the dental follicle during embryonic development, while OSX appeared in odontoblasts later.
- During root formation, CD166 localized to cells near the root apex, distinct from OSX-positive odontoblasts.
- Overlapping expression of CD166 and OSX was observed in the apical region at postnatal day 28, diminishing by day 49.
Conclusions:
- CD166-positive cells emerge earlier than OSX expression during root development.
- CD166 expression is localized to the root apex during root elongation.
- CD166 may serve as a potential surface marker for progenitor cells involved in odontoblast differentiation.
